MLB Rumors

With Mark Teixeira set to return from the disabled list in the coming weeks, Yankees first baseman Lyle Overbay hopes to make a case for more playing time once Teixeira returns.

"I'm not too worried. I would like to see if I can coexist here," Overbay told MLB.com Thursday. "I like it. This is fun. I was on the other side, and you don't get to experience this. I'm very surprised; it was a good surprise, but I'm very surprised at how good these guys are in the clubhouse and as far as being teammates and stuff."

Overbay has a .250/.286/.467 slash line with seven home runs and 25 RBI. Of his 38 hits this season, 18 have been for extra bases. Overbay, who homered Monday, has been held with out a hit in his last nine at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Starling Marte stole his first base in 16 games Thursday as part of a multi-hit effort against the Cubs.

Marte reached on an infield single in the first inning and promptly stole second, his 11th steal of the season. He came around to score on a single by Andrew McCutchen, the first of two runs he would score in the first two innings.

He finished 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base, as the Pirates won, 4-2. He is hitting .310 on the season.   

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday that starting pitcher Jered Weaver will return to the rotation next week if his bullpen session this weekend goes well, the Orange County Register reports.

Weaver struck out nine while allowing one run in a start during extended spring training Wednesday. He's made just two starts for the Angels this season, allowing six earned runs in 11 innings.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen put together his fifth multi-hit game in the last six Thursday against the Cubs as he continues to pound the ball.

McCutchen went 3 for 4 with two runs driven in and one run scored, in a 4-2 win. All three of his hits were singles, but he added a pair of stolen bases, giving him 12 on the season on 13 attempts.

McCutchen has batting .462 over the last six days, raising his batting average from .260 to .291. 

Pirates closer Jason Grilli was back on the mound Thursday against the Cubs after getting a day off Wednesday. He set the Cubs down in order for his 19th save of the season.

Grilli induced a fly ball out on the first batter he faced, and then set down the next two on strikes to preserve a 4-2 win. Grilli needed just 14 pitches to end his outing and lower his ERA to 1.25.

Grilli has a league-leading 19 saves in 19 appearances, to go along with his sterling ERA. He has struck out 34 batters and walked just five in 21 2/3 innings. 

Orioles catcher Taylor Teagarden (thumb) will begin live batting practice and hitting off coaches at the team's spring training facility Thursday in Sarasota, Fla. Barring any setbacks, Teagarden could begin playing in an extended spring-training game as early as Monday.

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez continued to throw the ball well Thursday, but rain kept him from a chance to win against the Cubs.

Gomez held the Cubs to just one run on three hits, but his outing ended after just 56 pitches, thanks to a one hour, 47-minute rain delay. The Pirates won, 4-2.

Gomez struck out two batters and walked none, while racking up nine groundball outs and just one fly ball in 3 2/3 innings. Gomez has a 2.75 ERA in 36 innings, and is expected to make his next start Tuesday against the Tigers. 

Manager Terry Francona said Thursday that starting pitcher Brett Myers's velocity was down in his most recent rehab start, MLB.com reports. He will need at least one more rehab start before returning to the Indians.

Myers is 0-3 with an 8.02 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings this season.

Orioles designated hitter Wilson Betemit saw a team doctor in Baltimore and will likely be cleared to resume baseball activities at some point next week, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson's Thursday start was cut short by rain, but it didn't look like he was long for the mound with the way he was pitching even before an hour and 47-minute rain delay.

Jackson surrendered six hits in the outing in just three innings, and ran into trouble in each of his first two innings. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in the first inning, and then gave up two more runs on three more hits in the second.

Jackson settled down in the third inning with a pair of strikeouts, but the rain opened up and he had no chance to continue his outing. He finished with four runs allowed on six hits in three innings of work, with three strikeouts and one walk, while taking the loss in a 4-2 final.

Jackson's ERA rose to 6.11 in the start, while his record dropped to 1-7. Jackson is set to take the mound Tuesday against the White Sox.